I'd take a cruise on that (imagine the on-board sports: extreme bungee jumping, anybody?) but not so sure about the military applications. I can see the appeal of the lift capacity and the VTOL capability, but wouldn't it be more than a little vulnerable?

czetie: I can see the appeal of the lift capacity and the VTOL capability, but wouldn't it be more than a little vulnerable?

OTOH it seems that it would be absolutely ideal for disaster relief.

No more so than current methods of resupplying bases. You'd want air protection around it and probably wouldn't use it on the front lines but I imagine a full size version would have more lift capacity than the C-17s used currently, plus you wouldn't need long ass runways.

Kiler:czetie: I can see the appeal of the lift capacity and the VTOL capability, but wouldn't it be more than a little vulnerable?

OTOH it seems that it would be absolutely ideal for disaster relief.

No more so than current methods of resupplying bases. You'd want air protection around it and probably wouldn't use it on the front lines but I imagine a full size version would have more lift capacity than the C-17s used currently, plus you wouldn't need long ass runways.

It would be vulnerable to T-storms, etc. I'd hate to be in it when it runs into a strong updraft or downdraft. I wonder how it would handle hail?

grinding_journalist:Neal Stephenson predicted this in The Diamond Age 20 years ago. Just need to solar panel 'em up to make them self-powered, and boom- Aerostats.

The idea's even older than that; I remember seeing a book about blimps talking about the flight of aprototype of this 1970s. They've been predicting the return of commercial airships for a long time, andthough I'd love to see it happen, I doubt it ever will.

Kiler:czetie: I can see the appeal of the lift capacity and the VTOL capability, but wouldn't it be more than a little vulnerable?

OTOH it seems that it would be absolutely ideal for disaster relief.

No more so than current methods of resupplying bases. You'd want air protection around it and probably wouldn't use it on the front lines but I imagine a full size version would have more lift capacity than the C-17s used currently, plus you wouldn't need long ass runways.

From what little info is available, it looks significantly slower-moving and more vulnerable than a C-17. Not saying it doesn't have a role -- especially, as I said before, with its lift capacity and VTOL on unprepared locations -- but it does seem to be a tactically different proposition from current heavy lifters. And that in turn could drive tactical changes. For example, it could replace highly vulnerable resupply convoys in places like Afghanistan, which in turn means that base locations are less dependent on road access (and strategically, supply lines are less dependent on cooperation from Pakistan).

Kiler:czetie: I can see the appeal of the lift capacity and the VTOL capability, but wouldn't it be more than a little vulnerable?

OTOH it seems that it would be absolutely ideal for disaster relief.

No more so than current methods of resupplying bases. You'd want air protection around it and probably wouldn't use it on the front lines but I imagine a full size version would have more lift capacity than the C-17s used currently, plus you wouldn't need long ass runways.

PirateKing:Neat. But aren't we almost out of helium? To the point where some countries want to ban toy balloons?

It's not as if we can make helium yet.

It wouldnt surprise me in the next few decades we will be able to mess with elements like alchemy and change matter from one from to the next just by manipulated the subatomic particles. I know we have limited capability when it comes to created man made elements.

Galloping Galoshes:Kiler: czetie: I can see the appeal of the lift capacity and the VTOL capability, but wouldn't it be more than a little vulnerable?

OTOH it seems that it would be absolutely ideal for disaster relief.

No more so than current methods of resupplying bases. You'd want air protection around it and probably wouldn't use it on the front lines but I imagine a full size version would have more lift capacity than the C-17s used currently, plus you wouldn't need long ass runways.

It would be vulnerable to T-storms, etc. I'd hate to be in it when it runs into a strong updraft or downdraft. I wonder how it would handle hail?

I think the article adresses that by indicating that these can be extremely high altitude thus avoiding storms. I'm probably sure they will get higher power propulsion systems and computerized stabilzation and navigation to deal with wind drift as well.

All2morrowsparTs:I think the article adresses that by indicating that these can be extremely high altitude thus avoiding storms. I'm probably sure they will get higher power propulsion systems and computerized stabilzation and navigation to deal with wind drift as well.